Managing phosphorus for yield and quality of sweet corn grown on high  phosphorus soils of Maryland's eastern shore

Reducing P fertilization to address water quality problems has raised concerns among producers regarding crop yield and quality. A 3 yr study was conducted at three sites to examine whether reduction in P fertilization rate and/or use of a preceding rye cover crop affect the yield and quality (sugar concentration and ear weight) of sweet corn (Zea mays L.) grown on soils with “excessive” plant-available P. The experimental design was a split plot with four replications conducted on Norfolk soils. The main plots were no cover crop and a rye cover crop. The subplots were five P fertilizer treatments ranging from 0 to 60 kg P ha-1 at 15 kg P increments. With or without a preceding rye cover crop or P fertilization, postharvest soil test P (Mehlich-1) levels remained “excessive” to a depth of 40 cm. Also, yield of sweet corn was not affected by P fertilization and/or use of a preceding rye cover crop. Without cover cropping, sugar content and ear weight response to P fertilization was positive on site 2 for sugar, and on sites 2 and 3 for ear weight. Utilization of cover cropping positively influenced sweet corn sugar and ear weight sampled at early milk stage without affecting the final yield. In processing sweet corn production, profitability is determined mainly by the yield of marketable ears. Therefore, the small, inconsistent increases in sugar content and ear weight in response to P fertilization, without an increase in yield is not of a major significance to the farmer. On high P soils, P fertilization is unnecessary for the production of quality, high-yield processing corn. The use of a rye cover crop is suggested as a method of reducing the risk of P loss into the surrounding watershed. Key words: Sweet corn yield, sweet corn quality, P fertilization, rye cover crop, phosphorus management, high P soils

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Effects of Non-Leguminous Cover Crops on Yield and Quality of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.) Grown under Subtropical Conditions

Horticulturae ◽

10.3390/horticulturae6020021 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 21

Author(s):

Atinderpal Singh ◽

Sanjit K. Deb ◽

Sukhbir Singh ◽

Parmodh Sharma ◽

Jasjit S. Kang

Keyword(s):

Zea Mays ◽

Pearl Millet ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Zea Mays L ◽

Sugar Content ◽

Corn Yield ◽

Dry Matter Accumulation ◽

Yield And Quality

Effects of non-leguminous cover crops and their times of chopping on the yield and quality of no-till baby corn (Zea mays L.) were evaluated during two kharif seasons (May-August in 2014 and 2015) under subtropical climatic conditions of Punjab, India. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with four replications at Punjab Agricultural University’s Research Farm. Three cover crops (pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.), fodder maize (Zea mays L.), and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)) and the control (no cover crop) were in the main plots and chopping time treatments (25, 35, 45 days after planting (DAP)) in the subplots. During both kharif seasons, the yield (cob and fodder yield) and dry matter accumulation of baby corn following cover crop treatments, especially pearl millet, were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher than the control, and improved with increments in chopping time from 25 to 45 DAP. The effect of cover crops on baby corn quality (i.e., protein, starch, total soluble solids, crude fiber, total solid, and sugar content) did not differ among treatments, while increasing increments in chopping time had a significant effect on the protein and sugar content of baby corn. The use of cover crops and increment in chopping time helped in enhancing topsoil quality, especially available nitrogen; yet, the effect of cover crops and their times of chopping on topsoil organic carbon, phosphorus, and potassium did not differ among treatments. During both seasons, there was no significant interaction between cover crop and time of chopping among treatments with respect to baby corn yield and quality, as well as topsoil quality parameters.

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WINTER-KILLED LEGUMINOUS COVER CROPS FOR SWEET CORN

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.27.11.1161f ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 27 (11) ◽

pp. 1161f-1161

Author(s):

Francis X. Mangan ◽

Stephen J. Herbert

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Sweet Corn ◽

Field Research ◽

Corn Yield ◽

High Nitrogen ◽

Vicia Villosa ◽

Nitrogen Levels ◽

Nitrogen Treatments ◽

Legume Growth

Field research was conducted in Deerfield, Mass. to study the effects of leguminous cover crops on sweet corn yield. Oat was planted alone and in combination with four leguminous cover crops August 8, 1990. Cover crop residue was disked once and sweet corn seeded April 23, 1991. Each cover crop combination had three rates of nitrogen added in two applications. Sweet corn seeded into stands of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) yielded the highest of the cover crop combinations. All leguminous cover crop treatments yielded higher than oat alone or no cover crop when no synthetic nitrogen was added. Cover crop combinations were seeded again in the same field plots August 12, 1991. Oat biomass in November was greater where there had been leguminous cover crops or high rates of synthetic nitrogen. Legume growth was retarded in the plots that had previously received high nitrogen. It is thought that legume growth was reduced in the high nitrogen treatments due to increased oat growth and higher soil nitrogen levels which could inhibit root nodulation.

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Cover Crop Management and Weed Suppression in No-tillage Sweet Corn Production

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.39.6.1262 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 39 (6) ◽

pp. 1262-1266 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Lidia M. Carrera ◽

Aref A. Abdul-Baki ◽

John R. Teasdale

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Sweet Corn ◽

Crop Management ◽

Bare Soil ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Corn Yield ◽

No Tillage ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Weed Biomass

Cover crops combined with conservation tillage practices can minimize chemical inputs and improve soil quality, soil water-holding capacity, weed suppression and crop yields. No-tillage production of sweet corn (Zea mays var. `Silver Queen') was studied for 2 years at the USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Md., to determine cover crop management practices that maximize yield and suppress weeds. Cover crop treatments were hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), rye (Secale cereale L.) and hairy vetch mixture, and bare soil (no cover crop). There were three cover crop killing methods: mowing, rolling or contact herbicide paraquat. All plots were treated with or without atrazine and metolachlor after planting. There was a 23% reduction in sweet corn plant population in the rye-hairy vetch mixture compared to bare soil. Averaged over both years, sweet corn yield in hairy vetch treatments was 43% greater than in bare soil, whereas yield in the rye-hairy vetch mixture was 30% greater than in bare soil. There were no significant main effects of kill method or significant interactions between kill method and cover crop on yield. Sweet corn yields were not different for hairy vetch or rye-hairy vetch treatments with or without atrazine and metolachlor. However, yield in bare soil without the herbicides atrazine and metolachor were reduced by 63% compared to bare soil with these herbicides. When no atrazine and metolachlor were applied, weed biomass was reduced in cover crops compared to the bare soil. Regression analysis showed greater yield loss per unit of weed biomass for bare soil than for the vetch or rye-hairy vetch mixture. This analysis suggests that cover crops increased sweet corn yield in the absence of atrazine and metolachlor not only by reducing weed biomass, but also by increasing the competitiveness of corn to weeds at any given biomass.

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Effects of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Feeding Injury on Sweet Corn Yield and Quality

Journal of Economic Entomology ◽

10.1093/jee/tov059 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 108 (3) ◽

pp. 1065-1071 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

W. J. Cissel ◽

C. E. Mason ◽

J. Whalen ◽

J. Hough-Goldstein ◽

C. R. R. Hooks

Keyword(s):

Sweet Corn ◽

Corn Yield ◽

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug ◽

Stink Bug ◽

Yield And Quality

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Evaluation of the carrot gene pool for yield and quality indicators at Volgograd Experiment Station of VIR

PROCEEDINGS ON APPLIED BOTANY GENETICS AND BREEDING ◽

10.30901/2227-8834-2020-4-65-70 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 181 (4) ◽

pp. 65-70

Author(s):

V. E. Pryanishnikova ◽

T. V. Khmelinskaya

Keyword(s):

Sugar Content ◽

High Yield ◽

Arid Environments ◽

Important Indicator ◽

Experiment Station ◽

Yield And Quality ◽

Air Temperatures ◽

Low Humidity ◽

Growing Conditions ◽

High Yields

The Volga-Akhtuba Floodplain is among the areas with insufficient rainfall, where high air temperatures in summer are coupled with low humidity. An urgent task is to select carrot cultivars adapted to irrigated cultivation conditions. For this purpose, 101 carrot accessions of diverse origin were studied at Volgograd Experiment Station. The study was accomplished according to the guidelines developed by VIR.The tested carrot accessions demonstrated different responses to abrupt changes in the temperature and water regimes. At the same time, differences were found in the yield and quality of roots. An important indicator was the stability of root yield. High-yielding cultivars with relatively stable yields were identified: ‘Nesravnennaya’ (k-1528, Russia), ‘Leninakanskaya’ (k-1936, Armenia), ‘Asmer Early market’ (k-2304, UK), and ‘Konservnaya-63’ (k-2320, Moldova). High yields and good marketability were shown by cvs. ‘Nantes’ (k-1438, Bulgaria), ‘Leninakanskaya’ (k-1936, Armenia), ‘Danvers’ (k-2167, USA), ‘Konservnaya-63’ (к2320, Moldova), ‘All Season’ (k-2598, Australia), and ‘Rogneda’ (k-2611, Russia). These cultivars originated mostly from arid areas. The content of chemical compounds in roots was highly variable, depending on the cultivar (hybrid) and, in particular, on the growing conditions. For example, the sugar content ranged from 3.0 to 6.85%, ascorbic acid from 7.9 to 12.2 mg/100 g, and carotene from 9.5 to 17.9 mg/100 g. The tests revealed a considerable variability in main agronomic characters of the carrot accessions, especially when high-yielding cultivars were concerned: they were the most sensitive to cultivation in arid environments and suffered a decrease in marketability. As a result of the study, carrot accessions combining high yield, good marketability and beneficial chemical composition were identified. They are promising for breeding programs aimed at the development of cultivars adaptable to high summer temperatures and low humidity.

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212 Effects of Plant Density on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Fresh-market Sweet Corn

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.34.3.478e ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 34 (3) ◽

pp. 478E-478 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Xiuming Hao

Keyword(s):

Leaf Area ◽

Plant Density ◽

Sweet Corn ◽

Sugar Content ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Plant Size ◽

Fresh Market ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Yield And Quality ◽

High Plant Density

In summer 1998, two sh2, fresh-market, sweet corn cultivars (`Candy Corner'—large plant size, and `Swifty'—small plant size) were grown at 5, 6.5, 8, and 9.5 plants/m2 to investigate the effects of plant density on growth, photosynthesis, biomass, yield, and quality. Biomass and leaf area per plant were not affected by plant density. Therefore, biomass and leaf area per unit area were increased with increasing plant density. Plant height, leaf chlorophyll, leaf photosynthesis, and transpiration (measured with the LI-COR 6400 portable photosynthesis system) were not affected by plant density. Total cob weight (husk off) and number of ears harvested from plants were increased with increasing plant density. However, marketable yield (number of marketable ears) was not affected by plant density and marketable cob weight (husk off) decreased with increasing plant density due to the reduction in ear size with high plant density. There was a significant increase in percentage of unmarketable ears at plant density higher than 6.5 plant/m2 with `Candy Corner'. Kernel sugar content (°Brix) in both cultivars increased with plant density. According to the results of this experiment, the optimum plant density for fresh-market sweet corn was 5 to 6 plants/m 2.

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Spring-seeded Green Manures Continue to Demonstrate Variable Benefits on Sandy Soil

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci14262-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 54 (11) ◽

pp. 2031-2038

Author(s):

Kate A. Ivancic ◽

Matthew D. Ruark ◽

Francisco J. Arriaga ◽

Erin M. Silva

Keyword(s):

Sandy Soil ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Sweet Corn ◽

Corn Yield ◽

Corn Production ◽

N Yield ◽

Split Plot ◽

Berseem Clover ◽

N Rates

Spring-planted green manure cover crops may provide a nitrogen (N) benefit to a subsequent sweet corn (Zea mays L.) crop, but spring growth and lack of consistent benefits documented in previous studies provide limitations to adoption. Berseem clover (BC; Trifolium alexandrinum) and chickling vetch (CV; Lathyrus sativus L.) are two legumes that could be beneficial when spring-seeded, but they have not been well studied in this context. The objectives of this study were to measure spring-seeded cover crop biomass and N yield, and the subsequent effects on sweet corn yield and response to N fertilizer. The study was conducted in 2014 and 2015, and the experimental design was a randomized complete block split-plot design with cover crop as whole-plot treatments [CV, BC, berseem clover and oat (Avena sativa) mixture (BC + O), oats, and no cover crop] and N rate as split-plot treatments. Cover crop growth and effects on sweet corn production varied greatly between years, with both cover crop and sweet corn biomass greater in 2015, although BC produced very little biomass (<0.7 Mg·ha–1) and thus is not recommended for spring seeding. In 2014, CV resulted in the lowest agronomically optimum N rates (AONRs) compared with no cover crop, suggesting a potential N credit when only having an N yield of 11.6 kg·ha–1, but this effect was not seen in 2015. There was also no evidence that oat would supply N to the subsequent crop. Overall, evidence is lacking that any spring-seeded cover crop will provide a consistent N benefit on sandy soil, and limitations to spring growth may preclude widespread adoption.

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Roller Type and Operating Speed Effects on Rye Termination Rates, Soil Moisture, and Yield of Sweet Corn in a No-till System

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.47.2.217 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 47 (2) ◽

pp. 217-223 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Ted S. Kornecki ◽

Francisco J. Arriaga ◽

Andrew J. Price

Keyword(s):

Soil Moisture ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Sweet Corn ◽

Severe Drought ◽

Corn Yield ◽

Operating Speed ◽

Weather Patterns ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

No Till ◽

Significant Difference

A field experiment was conducted in Cullman, AL, to evaluate the effects of three different rollers/crimpers on the termination of a rye (Secale cereale L) winter cover crop, soil moisture, and yield of sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata L.) in a no-till system. The following roller types were tested: a straight bar roller, a smooth roller with crimper, and a two-stage roller. These rollers were tested at operating speeds of 3.2 km·h−1 and 6.4 km·h−1. The three rollers/crimpers were compared with a smooth drum roller (no crimping bars) plus glyphosate applied at rate 1.0 kg·ha−1 used as a control. Rye termination dates were selected to be 3 weeks before the recommended sweet corn planting date, which is in the beginning of May for this region. Data indicate that at 3 weeks after rolling for all seasons (2006–2008), 100% rye termination was reached with the smooth drum roller and glyphosate. Two weeks after rolling, average rye termination rates by rollers/crimpers alone were 54.6%, 30.0%, and 50.4% in 2006, 2007, and 2008, respectively. Three weeks after rolling, rye termination rates increased only by ≈10% compared with 2 weeks after rolling. These termination levels were below the recommended rate of 90% termination necessary for planting a cash crop into the cover residue. Lower rye termination was probably caused by rolling the rye in an early growth stage (flowering stage). The rollers’ operating speed did not influence rye termination rates. Similarly, roller type did not affect soil moisture during the first and second week after rolling. Applying glyphosate with rolling did not increase yield of sweet corn in any of the three growing seasons, and in 2006, sweet corn yield was lower compared with the roller alone treatments. These results are important to vegetable organic systems, in which use of herbicides is not allowed. No significant difference in sweet corn yield was found between operating speeds of 3.2 km·h−1 vs. 6.4 km·h−1 and between the assigned treatments in all growing seasons. However, significant differences in sweet corn yield were detected between the years, most likely as a result of different weather patterns. The lowest sweet corn yield of 3513 kg·ha−1 was reported in 2007 as a result of severe drought in spring and summer of 2007. The highest yield of 15,613 kg·ha−1 was recorded in 2006. In 2008, the yield was 10,158 kg·ha−1. Although the different roller designs were not as effective in ending the rye cover crop compared with the glyphosate treatment, sweet corn yields were unaffected. Multiple rolling operations over the same area could be useful if greater rye termination levels are required without the use of a herbicide, but this recommendation should be tested experimentally in more detail.

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Use of Wild Radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) and Rye Cover Crops for Weed Suppression in Sweet Corn

Weed Science ◽

10.1614/ws-08-002.1 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 56 (4) ◽

pp. 588-595 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Mayank S. Malik ◽

Jason K. Norsworthy ◽

A. Stanley Culpepper ◽

Melissa B. Riley ◽

William Bridges

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Sweet Corn ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Corn Yield ◽

Wild Radish ◽

Raphanus Raphanistrum ◽

Full Rate ◽

Large Crabgrass

Field experiments were conducted near Blackville, SC, and Tifton, GA, in 2004 and 2005, to evaluate the effect of wild radish and rye cover crops on weed control and sweet corn yield when used in conjunction with lower-than-recommended herbicide rates. Cover crop treatments included wild radish, rye, and no cover crop, alone and in conjunction with half and full rates of atrazine (0.84 and 1.68 kg ai ha−1) plusS-metolachlor (0.44 and 0.87 kg ai ha−1) applied before sweet corn emergence. Florida pusley, large crabgrass, spreading dayflower, ivyleaf morningglory, and wild radish infested the test sites. Wild radish and rye cover crops without herbicides reduced total weed density by 35 and 50%, respectively, at 4 wk after planting (WAP). Wild radish in conjunction with the full rate of atrazine plusS-metolachlor controlled Florida pusley, large crabgrass, and ivyleaf morningglory better than rye or no cover crop treated with a full herbicide rate in 2004 at Blackville. In 2005, at Blackville, weed control in sweet corn following wild radish cover crop plots alone was not different from that following rye. Wild radish or rye in conjunction with a half or full rate of atrazine andS-metolachlor controlled > 95% Florida pusley, wild radish, and large crabgrass in sweet corn at Tifton during both years. Ten glucosinolates, potential allelopathic compounds, were identified in wild radish, including glucoiberin, progoitrin, glucoraphanin, glucoraphenin, glucosinalbin, gluconapin, glucotropaeolin, glucoerucin, glucobrassicin, and gluconasturtin. Sweet corn yields at Blackville and Tifton following wild radish or rye cover crops were similar between the half and full rates of atrazine plusS-metolachlor. Sweet corn in wild radish or rye cover crop plots without herbicides produced less-marketable ears than herbicide-treated plots, indicating that a combination of cover crops and herbicides are required to optimize yields and to obtain desirable weed control.

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Weed Populations, Sweet Corn Yield, and Economics Following Fall Cover Crops

Weed Technology ◽

10.1614/wt-d-10-00051.1 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 374-384 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Kelsey A. O'Reilly ◽

Darren E. Robinson ◽

Richard J. Vyn ◽

Laura L. Van Eerd

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Sweet Corn ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Corn Yield ◽

Viable Seed ◽

Weed Biomass ◽

Profit Margins ◽

Oilseed Radish ◽

Split Plot

The effectiveness of cover crops as an alternative weed control strategy should be assessed as the demand for food and fiber grown under sustainable agricultural practices increases. This study assessed the effect of fall cover crops on weed populations in the fall and spring prior to sweet corn planting and during sweet corn growth. The experiment was a split-plot design in a pea cover–cover crop–sweet corn rotation with fall cover crop type as the main plot factor and presence or absence of weeds in the sweet corn as the split-plot factor. The cover crop treatments were a control with no cover crop (no-cover), oat, cereal rye (rye), oilseed radish (OSR), and oilseed radish with rye (OSR+rye). In the fall, at Ridgetown, weed biomass in the OSR treatments was 29 and 59 g m−2lower than in the no-cover and the cereal treatments, respectively. In the spring, OSR+rye and rye reduced weed biomass, density, and richness below the levels observed in the control at Bothwell. At Ridgetown in the spring, cover crops had no effect on weed populations. During the sweet corn season, weed populations and sweet corn yields were generally unaffected by the cover crops, provided OSR did not set viable seed. All cover crop treatments were as profitable as or more profitable than the no-cover treatment. At Bothwell profit margins were highest for oat at almost Can$600 ha−1higher than the no-cover treatment. At Ridgetown, compared with the no-cover treatment, OSR and OSR+rye profit margins were between Can$1,250 and Can$1,350 ha−1and between Can$682 and Can$835 ha−1, respectively. Therefore, provided that OSR does not set viable seed, the cover crops tested are feasible and profitable options to include in sweet corn production and provide weed-suppression benefits.

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